Overview & Reviews

Toyota is a Japanese brand whose refined, well-designed vehicles have earned it a great deal of popularity. Toyotas also have a superb record for reliability and durability, which goes a long way toward justifying their typically high purchase prices. For buyers who plan on owning their new vehicles for a long time, the Toyota marque is a very compelling choice.

The automaker's name is a variation of the surname of its founder, Kiichiro Toyoda. After years of research, Toyoda unveiled his first prototype, the A1, in 1935, marking the birth of the Toyota Motor Corporation. The '40s witnessed the launch of additional passenger cars and even a pickup. By the end of the decade, the automaker had produced more than 100,000 vehicles.

Toyota grew bigger in the '50s and expanded its roster with a slew of new small cars. The company also unveiled the utilitarian BJ truck; this vehicle was the precursor to the Land Cruiser. By the end of the decade, Toyota had commenced exports to the U.S. with the establishment of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. The first Toyota to be sold on American shores was the Crown; it held the distinction of being the first Japanese car to be sold Stateside.

The '60s witnessed even more growth for the emerging juggernaut. Toyota introduced the Corolla, an immensely popular model that is still in production today. Vehicles like the home-market Publica, the 2000GT, Hiace and Miniace were also launched. The decade closed with Toyota reporting annual domestic sales of 1 million units; cumulative exports also reached 1 million.

Japanese-market cars like the Carina, Light Ace and Publica Starlet were launched during the 1970s. In the States, the Corolla grew in popularity and the Corona and Mk II models debuted as well. The successful Celica sports coupe was also rolled out and would remain in production for more than 30 years. Toyota's shadow had spread far beyond Japan by this point. The decade's oil crisis had made the manufacturer's compact, fuel-efficient models more popular than ever in the United States. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker had exported more than 10 million vehicles.

Toyota expanded its presence in the U.S. market during the '80s, with the introduction of popular models like the 4Runner SUV and the MR2 sports car. The true high point of these years, though, was the birth of the Toyota Camry sedan. Originally known as the Celica Camry in Japan, the car went on to be a hit of phenomenal proportions, earning kudos as America's best-selling car of the year time and time again.

During the '90s, Toyota rolled out the Avalon full-size sedan and expanded its selection of SUVs with the compact RAV4. By the end of the decade, more than 100 million Toyota vehicles had been produced in Japan. The company also proved itself on the cutting edge of new technology with the rollout of the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid. The car debuted in Japan in 1997; by 2001, the fuel-sipping sedan had made its way to American highways. Despite the presence of a growing number of competitors in its segment, the Prius continues to boast class-leading sales.

Toyota's current lineup is relatively extensive, including minivans, cars, trucks and SUVs. The brand remains extremely popular among savvy consumers who place a high value on quality and dependability.

User Reviews:

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  Highlander Hybrid is a winner! - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Oakley - May 8 - 8:06 am

  The power on demand that the hybrid offers due to the direct drive system is the true beauty of the hybrids. 0 to 60 in 5 seconds is typical with the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Buy one and you will own only Hybrids from now on!

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  Good price- Good return - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Chris Cunningham - May 7 - 2:13 pm

  Thought I would buy a Honda Civic but dealers were not anxious to negotiate price- Toyota dealers were able and willing to hammer out the best price and I suggest working 3 dealers against each other. First full tank of gas produced 32MPG which is great- Speaker system (6 speakers) is incredible. Great price- Great value

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  Underpowered but great truck - 2013 Toyota Tacoma
  By yodusty - May 7 - 2:04 pm

  I love my truck and wouldnt trade my truck for anything, but I have been spending lots of money for a little more horsepower and gas mileage. I am leaning more towards a turbo which are hard to come by because its too new. Im not sure other Toyota models have more horsepower than the Tacoma. Other models include the Camry, 4-Runner, and FJ Cruiser.

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  Great compromise - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By swampcollie - May 7 - 6:33 am

  Have had my runner for a couple weeks. Came out of a ford supercrew which i loved, but needed something with better gas mileage. I get off road some and pull a utility trailer with my atv or mower on it. I did not want one of the car based SUVs and the 4runner seemed like the perfect fit for how I use a vehicle. I miss the room from my truck but am tickled with the gas mileage improvement and the the sr5 drives and handles great on and off road. The ride is quiet and smooth while still being a true truck based vehicle. I am quite happy. The vehicle I got happened to have a moon roof. A feature I would never have ordered, but really enjoy it.

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  Best SUV On The Market - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Jeff - May 7 - 12:46 am

  Just purchased a 4 cylinder Highlander for "Invoice" and not only am I happy about that but the vehicle overall. Are you ready for this, Im getting over 30 MPG combined city/hwy. Of course Im not driving like a have a race car either. There is plenty of power when you need it. I own a Prius and have learned some techniques by utilizing the "Cruise Control" as often as I can. I compared the Highlander Hybrid model mileage to the 4 cylinder Highlander and for $20K less, I am getting better mileage. Invoice cost was $26,014.00 plus tax & license at 2.9% financing. People have got to be insane to pay upwards of $48K for a Highlander Hybrid (Limited).

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  Excellent Sedan - 1999 Toyota Avalon
  By Chris - May 6 - 5:16 pm

  This sedan is excellent to drive and take passengers around in. The features are great and it is quite inside. Leather & Heat seats are nice features during the winter.

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  Solid truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By glen - May 6 - 7:53 am

  I would recommend this truck to anyone. Good power & handling , good fuel mileage. Its an excellent truck overall.

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  Great Car witha few overlooked items! - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Brandon - May 6 - 5:49 am

  First off I am not brand specific. I have owned 1 Mercury, 1 Honda, 1 Hyundai, 1 Chevy, 1 Kia, 2 Nissans, and 3 Mazdas. This is my first Toyota. The car has great safety features that come standard including: Automatic braking with forward collision warning, radar cruise control, and lane keep assist. But somethings seem to have been forgotten probably to save money because these features come standard. Such as no push button start, poor interior dome lighting, and poor interior storage. The front map lights do not come on with the doors open. And no there is no setting that can be turned on. Just the very dim rear dome light is all you have inside at night when entering. The dome light is a regular incandescent bulb where as every other light is a LED. It looks out of place. Some models do have these things but my SE model does not. Also I am slightly disappointed that the car only has one 12v power outlet and one usb connector. Should have more for a family sedan. The connected Navigation thru Scout GPS is okay at best. Android auto would have been better. The shifting is very smooth but clearly geared toward economy. It tries to shift very early keeping rpms too low for the four cylinder engine. You have to give the throttle pedal a good push too keep the rpms up while accelerating. I would have liked to see the transmission programmed for more sport in the SE and XSE models. Really my gripes are very minor and I love the car. Now for the stuff I like. Exterior looks are personal but I love it. I never considered a Camry before this model. This looks dare I say sporty. It also driver very good. Handling and road holding are very good. Mine has the 2.5 four cylinder and acceleration as more than adequate. On our recent trip to Panama city which is 850 miles round trip the car averaged 42 mpg for the trip. Very impressive. Seats are fantastic and the car rides very well. The LED headlight are amazing. By far the best headlights I have ever had. My cars color is Galactic Aqua which is very dark metallic blue. I have received several compliments already on the color. I wont get into every aspect but overall this a very good car. I feel a few tweaks to some of the interior and this would be a great car. I am loving driving it and overall I love it.

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  My Camry - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By JJ - May 5 - 9:53 pm

  Totally satisfied with entire vehicle. No complaints. Extremely impressed with handling, comfort, gas mileage, and sound system.

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  highlander 05 - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Paul Compratt - May 5 - 2:13 pm

  Just got back from Lake Tahoe and one of the heaviest snowfalls in decades. The vehicle handled like a dream never slipping on the packed snow and icy pavement.